Tseng gifts cash for Taiwan's next generation

World number one Yani Tseng celebrated an emphatic win on home soil by handing over US$100,000 - a third of her prize money - to help develop a new generation of Taiwanese golfers.

Written by Agence-France Presse

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Taipei:

World number one Yani Tseng celebrated an emphatic win on home soil by handing over US$100,000 - a third of her prize money - to help develop a new generation of Taiwanese golfers.

Tseng, whose victory in the US LPGA's inaugural Sunrise Taiwan Championship was splashed across front pages in Taipei, said she hoped to boost the sport in her homeland, which traditionally prefers baseball and basketball.

"It is a long road to develop and groom a golfer. Young golfers need as much support as possible to help them compete with the best from the rest of the world," the 22-year-old said late Sunday.

"I hope I can set an example so more people will follow suit to help chip in and contribute to this cause in an attempt to bring out more young talents."

Tseng, who has now won seven times on this year's tour, will donate the money through the Golf Association Republic of China, a programme that helps train and develop young golfing talent in Taiwan.

"Golf is not as popular as baseball, basketball here but now seems like we're growing it a lot and I'm really happy to see this. I wish in the future there will be more people and more people playing," she told reporters.

Tseng shot a final-round six-under-par 66 Sunday to finish at 16-under and record a five-stroke victory over Spain's Azahara Munoz and Amy Yang of South Korea at Sunrise Golf and Country Club in Yangmei.

Tseng was playing Sunday in front of a crowd of flag-waving fans, including her own grandmother, in a sign that golf is gradually gaining recognition, largely because of her achievements.

"I played very, very good. Even today I was bogey-free... it's incredible. I wish this year would never end. I wish I could win more tournaments," said Tseng, who was awarded a winner's cheque of US$300,000.